Prof. Ciriaka Gitonga holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Kenyatta University (2013), complemented by a Master of Educational Psychology (2002) and a Bachelor of Education (1991) from the same institution. She also earned a Diploma in Human Resource Management from Cambridge University (2000) and has completed advanced leadership training, including Strategic Leadership and Senior Management certificates from the Kenya School of Government. Additionally, she is a certified Doctoral Supervisor and a Global Career Development Facilitator for capacity strengthening. 

 

Prof Gitonga is an established researcher and policy engagement expert in Kenya. She was a Presidential Appointee in Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, where she Chaired the Teacher Education and Management Sub-Committee where she played a key role in developing the policy on transforming education, training and research for sustainable development. Additionally, she a member of Commission for University Education Committee which charged with the responsibility of developing the University Competency Based Education and Training Framework  

 

Prof. Gitonga is the Chair of Education Deans Forum which has played a key role in informing policies on strengthening of Teacher Education as the drivers of education reforms. The Education Deans Forum draws membership from 66 Universities that offer Teacher Education. Leveraging on this convening power, she has been able to create networks with the State Department of Basic Education and State Departments of Higher Education scholars which has helped in coordinated capacity strengthening and policy advocacy.   She is currently coordinating extensive teacher educators retooling and capacity development programme for teacher educators in collaboration with Commission for University Education and Teachers Service Commission in Kenya and coordinating establishment of Education Research Chairs under the HERI Africa Initiative aimed at revitalising education research in all the Universities. 

 

Research Grants

Grants	Funder	Role
HERI Africa Initiative (2025–2029)	Total Funding USD 10M. Funded by Echidna Giving, Imaginable Futures and National Research Fund	Coordinator
Revitalising Education Research Ecosystem through Graduate Students	Funded by Echidna Giving. USD 42,000.	Principal Investigator (PI)
Transforming Teacher Education Curriculum in Kenya	unded by ESTDEV/Tallinn University. Total funding Kes. 3 Million	Implementing Partner.
Optimizing Parental Empowerment and Engagement for ECDE: A Pilot Project in Embu County, Kenya	Spencer Foundation	Principal Investigator (PI)
Enhancing Youth Employability through Career Mapping in All Counties in Kenya	National Research Fund (NRF)	Principal Investigator (PI)
Children's Voices on Climate Change: Nurturing Environmental Curiosity and Stewardship for Resilience in Embu County, Kenya	1st Vice Chancellors Research Grant	Principal Investigator (PI)
An Evaluation of the Role of Chiefs in Administration of Justice: The Bottlenecks	World Vision (Joint Project with Daystar University)	Co-PI
The Post-Traumatic Impact of Terror Attack on Children	Daystar University	Co-PI
Establishment of a Comprehensive Therapy Centre for Children with Borderline Disabilities	Australian Aid (for a Community Based Organization)	Principal Investigator (PI)

Postgraduate Supervision

Ongoing:

• Augustine Nyarango – Leadership awareness and institutional climate change adaptation practices in public secondary schools in Kenya.

• Pius Katiku Mutua – Effectiveness of discussion and demonstration instruction methods on academic achievement and retention ability in integrated science among grade 8 students in Kenya.

• Christine Nzomo – Influence of technology-enhanced inquiry-based learning approach on learning outcomes in integrated science in Kenya. (Doctor of Philosophy in Education, University of Embu).

• Victor Saoke – Exploring the effects of Teachers' instructional adoption dispositions on using technology-enhanced anticipatory sets in secondary Schools in Kenya. (Doctor of Philosophy in Education, University of Embu).

• Carol Mwangi – Effectiveness of Empowerment Training Programme to engage parents in children's learning in rural and marginalized areas in Kenya. (Masters in Education, University of Embu).

Completed (Selected):

• Eunice Ruraa (2026) – Predictors of Choice for Physics subject in secondary schools in Kenya (Masters in Education, University of Embu).

• Kelvin Muthamaki (2026) – Spiritual practices, religious beliefs, social norms, and access to education among Kabonokia followers in Tharaka North sub-County, Kenya.

• Abigael Cherono (2026) – Interpersonal conflicts, emotional well-being, and academic performance among students in selected public secondary schools in Embu East Sub-county, Kenya.

• Anne Waruita (2025) – Does occupational choice endure after graduating? A longitudinal study of Holland's personality types, occupational consistency congruence and occupational satisfaction in Kenya. (Doctor of Philosophy in Education, University of Embu).

• Benson Ngwiri Kamau (2025) – Transformational Leadership, Organizational Culture, and Institutional performance of TVETs in Kenya. (Doctor of Philosophy, PAC University).

• Catherine Kawira (2017) – Paternal parenting styles as predictors of behavior change among pre-adolescents in Kenya.